Mixing it to the max for autumn glamour

IN the ever-fickle fashion world, thoughts have turned to autumn and gone is everything that is synonymous with warmer climes. The bikinis, kaftans, shifts and maxi dresses will have been vacuum packed away until next year, and those bejewelled sandals and vibrant print clutches relegated to the back of the wardrobe.

Those well-thumbed magazines highlighting the select catwalk looks have been picked up again now that the Capital's fashion emporiums are brimming with the new season's fashions. And about time too.

But rather than spend a small fortune recreating the designer looks, each and every one of them can be done on a budget.

Blame it on Gucci, Jaeger and Matthew Williamson for, if you haven't already noticed, folk is everywhere.

Prints are opulent, paisley is ubiquitous, colours are rich, and fur and fringing are back. The bohemian spirit is ingrained in fashion's psyche this season, and Zara, Oasis, Warehouse, Miss Selfridge and Mango are working this look the best.

Fashion's obsession with flowers continues straight through to winter, but this time the prints are bigger, bolder and even better. Visit Jenners, Coast, Karen Millen and Warehouse to dabble in this trend. And don't forget sequins, embellishments and all things that glitter, as shown on the catwalks of Marc Jacobs, D&G and Matthew Williamson.

Inject some daytime glamour with subtle embellishment and metallics, courtesy of Zara, Miss Selfridge, Reiss and Mango at House of Fraser.

It may be our national cloth, but this season it's the hot property of the fashion pack and if it's good enough for them, then it's good enough for us. Almost every designer paid homage to tartan and tweed but, without a doubt, Warehouse, Topshop, Ted Baker at Jenners, Karen Millen and Zara are working this look to maximum effect.

"But don't forget to embrace the gothic look," says Aimi Hautau, fashion adviser for Jenners. "Black lace is giving an understated sophisticated edge, while silk, velvet and satin allow for the resurgence in soft goth."

And play with size and shape, to come up with a unique look .

From shrunken hats to oversized bags, it's all about making a sculpted statement.